Borrowing, Fines and Charges
LOAN PERIODS and RENEWALS
Please be aware that libraries within BCCLS may establish their own overdue fines. Items received from another library that fulfill patron requests placed in the catalog will be subject to different fine policies than those established by Hillsdale Library for Hillsdale items.
Effective February 14, 2020:
Items in the Hillsdale collection subject to the “new” loan periods will be designated with “new” labels.
- New books – 2 week loan – 1 renewal
- Older books – 4 week loan – 2 renewals
- Audio books – 4 week loan – 2 renewals
- New DVDs – 1 week loan – 1 renewal
- All other CDs, DVDs, BLU Ray, video games, and magazines – 2 week loan – 2 renewals
OVERDUE FINES
Hillsdale Library books, magazine issues, compact discs, and audio books that are returned late will incur a late return fee of 15 cents per day, per item. DVDs and video games will incur a late return fee of $1.00 per day, per item. We strongly recommend that all patrons utilize the online account feature within the catalog to monitor the status and due dates of items borrowed. We do not recommend relying only on email notifications, as these can sometimes be redirected as spam by mail servers.
In the event of extreme weather or unexpected library closure, staff will make provisions for adjusting due dates within a reasonable time frame.
Please ask staff how to use the online account features.
LOST ITEMS OWNED BY OTHER LIBRARIES
When a patron must pay for a lost or damaged item owned by another member of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), a payment must be made by check payable to the owning library. The item will be removed from the patron’s record and the payment will be forwarded to the owning library. The Hillsdale Library will not refund any payment for items owned by other libraries. It is also possible to pay for fines and charges online with a credit card by logging into your account.
ITEMS OWNED BY HILLSDALE LIBRARY
If a patron has lost or damaged an item belonging to the Hillsdale Library, the item must be paid for. At the discretion of the Director, patrons may replace a lost / damaged item with a NEW copy provided by the patron. A receipt will be made available to the patron showing the title and barcode number of the lost item, as well as the date of payment and the patron’s name. The Director may, at his/her discretion, reduce the fee to a flat $10 damage fee for items that are returned partially damaged but deemed still serviceable.
Lost item charges will be assessed according to the following chart. It is reflective of the current unit pricing approved by the BCCLS System Council:
| Material | Lost Item Fee Charged |
| Any item over $30 | Retail / List price |
| Books on tape, Books on CD, Videos, DVDs | Retail / List price / $25 to $65 |
| New books, fiction, non-fiction (hardcover) | $30 |
| Music CDs | $20 |
| Juvenile non-fiction | $25 |
| Juvenile fiction, picture books | $20 |
| Easy readers & read-a-longs | $20 |
| Trade paberbacks | $20 |
| Magazine issues | $5.00 |
REFUNDS
Payments for lost Hillsdale items will be held for thirty (30) days. If an item has been located and returned within thirty (30) days a refund less accrued overdue fines will be made available to the patron. The original receipt must be shown. If payment was made by check, the check will be returned and the accrued overdue fine must be paid.
Policy adopted by the Board of Trustees on October 14, 2003.
Policy reviewed and changed on December 9, 2013.
Policy reviewed and affirmed on April 13, 2015.
This policy may be revised at any time.